Title

Presenter Information

Conference Level

Undergraduate

Start Date

31-3-2017 1:45 PM

End Date

31-3-2017 2:15 PM

Abstract

In recent decades, feminists have pointed out how prominent ethical theories are primarily concerned with establishing rules of conduct between strangers who share (or are theorized as if they share) the same social status. As Claudia Card points out, such theories outline explicit expectations and rewards of formal relationships; these relationships characterize formal institutions, such as law and business, and the considerations of upper-class men who predominate in such institutions. An ethics which focuses on the impersonal application of rules risks overlooking attentiveness to personal needs, a crucial quality in caring relationships which women and poorer classes have had primary responsibility for sustaining. For example, women have had greater pressure than men to be attentive to the particular needs of their children and households, while poorer workers have had to attend to the idiosyncrasies of their customers and employers. Moreover, contractarian theories of ethics idealize an equality of status which is not always possible or desirable: Ethical theories should be able to inform us in how we ought to treat our children, or how people should take care of others with disabilities.

I will argue that virtue theories can be particularly responsive to these feminist criticisms. Since a feminist ethical theory must be able to evaluate and critique both feminine and masculine practical considerations, I will examine how virtue theories emphasize caring qualities (e.g. personality and emotional sensitivity) alongside some endorsed by contractarian theories (e.g.distributive justice and impersonal respect). I will then discuss how understanding gendered notions of care can highlight unjust social practices, by reference to Card’s distinction of formal institutions and Annette Baier’s notion of caring professions. (Specifically, Baier holds that women are pressured to take up “caring” professions thought to require emotional sensitivity and attentiveness to particular needs, e.g. nursing or customer service.) Furthermore, I will point out how emphasizing moral agents’ personal qualities and circumstances can inform conditions for just laws, as exemplified by Rosalind Hursthouse’s ethical examination of abortion. In these ways, virtue theory can provide a moral context within which values of justice and care are jointly cultivated.

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Mar 31st, 1:45 PMMar 31st, 2:15 PM

Virtue Theory as a Feminist Ethical Framework

In recent decades, feminists have pointed out how prominent ethical theories are primarily concerned with establishing rules of conduct between strangers who share (or are theorized as if they share) the same social status. As Claudia Card points out, such theories outline explicit expectations and rewards of formal relationships; these relationships characterize formal institutions, such as law and business, and the considerations of upper-class men who predominate in such institutions. An ethics which focuses on the impersonal application of rules risks overlooking attentiveness to personal needs, a crucial quality in caring relationships which women and poorer classes have had primary responsibility for sustaining. For example, women have had greater pressure than men to be attentive to the particular needs of their children and households, while poorer workers have had to attend to the idiosyncrasies of their customers and employers. Moreover, contractarian theories of ethics idealize an equality of status which is not always possible or desirable: Ethical theories should be able to inform us in how we ought to treat our children, or how people should take care of others with disabilities.

I will argue that virtue theories can be particularly responsive to these feminist criticisms. Since a feminist ethical theory must be able to evaluate and critique both feminine and masculine practical considerations, I will examine how virtue theories emphasize caring qualities (e.g. personality and emotional sensitivity) alongside some endorsed by contractarian theories (e.g.distributive justice and impersonal respect). I will then discuss how understanding gendered notions of care can highlight unjust social practices, by reference to Card’s distinction of formal institutions and Annette Baier’s notion of caring professions. (Specifically, Baier holds that women are pressured to take up “caring” professions thought to require emotional sensitivity and attentiveness to particular needs, e.g. nursing or customer service.) Furthermore, I will point out how emphasizing moral agents’ personal qualities and circumstances can inform conditions for just laws, as exemplified by Rosalind Hursthouse’s ethical examination of abortion. In these ways, virtue theory can provide a moral context within which values of justice and care are jointly cultivated.